48 Hours of Fun and Adventure in Grande Prairie and Grande Cache

Alberta's diversity is one of its greatest attributes. Soaring mountains, the otherworldly Canadian Badlands, vast prairies, dense forests and history-rich urban centres offer countless memories for visitors. You could travel far and wide (Alberta is big!) to get a taste of all these components. Or you can go to Peace Country, visiting Grande Prairie and Grande Cache, where all these attributes are within reach.

By car, Grande Prairie is approximately five hours from Edmonton and seven hours from Calgary. But take heart, the journey there is part of the adventure. From Calgary, for example, you can take the scenic route along the Icefields Parkway. Doing so immerses you within some of the sweetest mountain scenes on the planet. Add two hours to the trip if you take the parkway.

Day 1: Grande Prairie

Morning

Wake up in a beautiful rural setting at A River Road Bed & Breakfast, located just a few minutes south of town. After your well-deserved sleep, you'll need to get things started on the right foot. That means a big ol' cup of craft coffee at Ole Smokes Coffee Roasters. Yes, their coffee has a distinct smoked flavour – and it's delicious. While you're there, grab a bison breakfast sandwich and some banana bread for the road.

To get your bearings and solidify your plans for the day, head to Centre 2000. This impressive community and tourism hub is a one-stop shop for visitors to get acquainted with the region.

Without a doubt, the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum is a star attraction in the Grande Prairie area. Spend the remainder of the morning viewing the incredible exhibits and learning about recent dino finds in the region. Another option – especially if you're a thrill seeker – is experiencing the white-knuckle mountain biking at Nitehawk Adventure Park. There's some sweet single-track (and hiking options) at this facility.

Afternoon

For lunch, you can't go wrong with a mouth-watering barbecue feast at Better Than Fred's. It's a local institution! After lunch, enjoy the downtown district, which features more than 400 retail shops. Highlights include Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Al's News, a historic general store. If you visit on a Wednesday, Friday or Saturday in July or August, be sure to visit the Grande Prairie Farmers' Market, too.

Evening

A relaxing evening drive to the Kleskun Hill Natural Area (located approximately 20 kilometres east of town) showcases Alberta's most northerly badlands. Get out, stretch your legs and marvel at the stunning natural landforms. Back in Grande Prairie, close out the day with a drink and some fun appetizers. Also, pucker up with a pint of Landlocked No Coast IPA from Grain Bin Brewing Company. Then get some much-needed sleep.

Day 2: Grande Cache

Morning

It's approximately a two-hour drive south along Highway 40 to Grande Cache from downtown Grande Prairie. When you get to Grande Cache, head to Wild Blue Yonder for your pre-booked, out-of-this-world rafting experience.

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, canyons and glacier-fed rivers, Grande Cache is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. And the rafting, especially along the Sulphur and Smoky Rivers, is world-renowned. Enjoy the epic trip, which includes floating along mind-blowing cliffs, thundering waterfalls and breathtaking mountain scenes.

Afternoon

After rafting, head to the Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre. The staff there will give you a ton of great ideas to fill out the rest of your trip. Then, head to Sulphur Gates Provincial Recreation Area for a very different perspective on the river that you just rafted. Be sure to fuel up with some sushi at Aurora Sushi beforehand though. If you still need to burn off energy, the two-and-a-half-hour hike to Eaton Falls is worth the trek. It's a moderate 7-km (4.3-mi) hike that features 335 m (1,099 ft) of elevation gain.

Evening

Congratulations on your day of adventure! Now it's time to celebrate with a delicious dinner at The Ridge. With a great atmosphere and hearty steak and pasta dishes, you can't go wrong at this local favourite. Get the One Pan Pasta. It's smothered with a savoury homemade alfredo-inspired sauce. If you're the camping kind, the municipal campground in town ticks all the boxes for a great camping experience. If not, Days Inn has you covered.

Although you won't want to do it, it's now time to take the highway home. You'll be counting down the days when you can return to this great – no, make that “grande!” – destination.